Hello, Mr. Sun!

I expected to wake up today to the same scenario, rain and more rain. Gloom and more gloom. But I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was only a light drizzle outside when I peeped through our bedroom window. In fact, the sun was out over here for a good 10-15 minutes! It's still relatively gloomy, but definitely not as bad as yesterday.

Now that things seem to be looking up, we should all think of going out there to do what we can to help. Yesterday, my Twitter feed went crazy with tweets about people begging to be rescued, calls for donations of relief goods and announcements of where to drop them off.

I've compiled a list based on what I saw :

The Philippine Red Cross (photo copied from Rappler.com)

This is perfect especially for fellow Filipinos who are based abroad and want to reach out to extend assistance from wherever they are

GMA Kapuso Foundation

Telephone number 981-1950

Alagang Kapatid Foundation

AKFI Office Quirino Highway San Bartolome, Novaliches, QC

SM Supermalls

The event center has been converted into a drop off point for donations

Ayala Malls

Drop off relief goods at Concierge Counters

Jollibee Foundation

All of Jollibee Foods Corporation's stores : Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal are accepting cash donations

McDonald's Philippines

Stores that are open in Manila are accepting donations in kind

LBC Foundation

Branches serve as drop-off stations for The Philippine Red Cross starting today, Aug 8

Globe Telecom

Transaction fees are waived for donations made using G-Cash

To donate, text DONATE <4 -digit="-digit" m-pin="m-pin"> REDCROSS to 2882

Smart Communications

Smart subscribers may send donations to Red Cross via SMS. Text RED to 4143. (10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000).

Gawad Kalinga

Gawad Kalinga Command Center for relief ops for North NCR is at HRD Training Ctr, DAR Compound QC. # 09991889683 / 09064192016 / 09228483806

Cha Dao Tea Place

Please click on the photo to enlarge and see specific branches

They'll give you free milk tea when you donate!

The Santuario de San Antonio Parish

Forbes Park, Makati

Accepting donations in kind at the Parish Center, Rooms 1-4

La Salle Greenhills

Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City

Accepting donations in kind and welcomes volunteers to pack relief goods

Ateneo De Manila University

Cervini Lobby

San Juan Arena

N. Domingo Street

If you wish to donate directly to evacuation or feeding centers, your best bets are churches and schools. For instance, Mount Carmel Church in New Manila, QC is now the home of more than 500 evacuees.

I'm sure there are a lot more that I've missed to note. If you're on Twitter like I am, you'll see many announcements such as this.

Other than donating our resources and time, we all have to continue to pray for our countrymen who were affected by the torrential rains, that they may see hope beyond their losses. Let's pray for God to help them put their lives back together after the chaos.

God bless us all!